Souci and Sprin now take the reader to an old French fairy tale, and as the cover states "his old french fairy tale is a powerful story of friendship, love and loyalty"

Once again, this is a story of three sons and a father king. When he called his sons together he mandated a set of accomplishments to achieve. The first was that the son who brought him the prettiest little dog will be king. Happening upon a castle with a door of studded rubies, the gate opened to him where he found beautiful rooms. He found a tiny little creature who was a beautiful cat who was sad. She offered the son exquisite hospitality. Handing him an acorn, he found a tiny little dog inside.

Now, the king demanded a fine piece of linen that can only pass through the eye of the thinnest needle. Once again, the son found the white cat who helped him with his father's wish. However, before that wish was granted, the kingdom was invaded by horrible rats. The white cat, an army of 500 soldier cats marched into battle and were successful in conquering the rats.

Given a tiny walnut, that contained a bitty little mustard seed. In amazement, the son opened the seed an found fine linen. Because of grumbling by his other two brothers, the king made the sons travel for another year demanding the most beautiful young lady to be brought home. Now upon visiting the white cat he learned of her sadness that she was to marry the wizard dwarf who will destroy her kingdom if she does not marry him. In battle, the wizard dwarf in his chariot fought their way into the white cat's castle. Transforming himself from a dwarf to a great two headed roc, the cat told the son to cut the huge bird's head in two. The cat gave the son a bright crystal to take to his father.

When he found his way home, he mistakenly dropped the crystal. A beautiful queen appeared. The two other brothers found lovely ladies as well. A feast and celebration occurred. The White cat who now was a beautiful woman because the bride on the son.

While I cannot claim a favorite illustrated book by Spirin, this one is near the top. The dramatic, majestic illustrations are a joy to behold. ( )

exquisite illustrations ( )